Avastin Phase II pancreatic, colorectal data

Genentech (DNA) said in a Phase II trial in 45 metastatic pancreatic cancer patients given Avastin bevacizumab plus gemcitabine, nine of 42 evaluable patients had a partial response lasting a median of 9.4 months. An additional 19 patients had stable disease lasting a median of 5.4 months. Median survival was nine months. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (33%), leukopenia (30%), thrombocytopenia (7%), thrombosis (12%), and one report each of hypertension, proteinuria and headache. There was one fatal gastrointestinal bleed and one fatal gastrointestinal perforation. ...